Smalling Linked With United Exit

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is attracting interest from Everton, sources close to the player have claimed. The 28-year-old is out of contract next summer and recently put his luxury £2m home up for sale, sparking speculation the central defender is already resigned to his Old Trafford fate.

However, the Red Devils are believed to have an option to extend his deal by a further year, in order to protect themselves, so it’s unlikely they will allow the England man to walk away at the end of the season on a free transfer.

Everton are said to be keeping an interested eye on developments, knowing United may still be open to receiving offers for Smalling, who arrived at United from Fulham for £12m back in 2010.

The Toffees are backed my major funds and would certainly have no problem meeting with Smalling’s present salary of £90,000-per-week, in addition to offering him an opportunity to remain based in the north west of England.

Arsenal have previously shown an admiration for the United man although the arrival of Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium appears to have cooled things on that particular front.